Lamp for canes, umbrella-sticks, or the like.



UNITED STATEs Patentea March 15, 1904.'

JAMEsW. ALLEN, oF sr: LouTs,"M1ssoURI.

LAIVIP FOR 'CANES,- UMBRELLA-STICKS, OR THE LIKE.

SPECII FICATION forming part of Letters Patent o. 754,631, dated March 15, 1904.

' App'iicaiion fila November .2, 1903. Serial No. 179,546. (No model.)

To all whom it wtaz/ concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. "ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new Vand useful Lamp for Canes, Umbrella-Stcks, or the Like, of which the following is a specification. 'K

My invention relates to portable lamps, and particularly electric lamps for sticks-such as canes, umbrella-sticks, and the like-and has for its principal objectsito provide a' lamp which may be included as part ofa cane; to provide for a combined cover, reflector, and an automatic switch for a-stick-lamp; to provide for. throwing the automatic switch out of operation at will; to provide forI control of the light by means ofv either an automatic or manually-operated switch, andother objects hereinafter more fully appearing.

My invention consists lin the parts and the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,I forming part of this specification, and wherein like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a straight cane or umbrella-stick, the cover being closed. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing the cover open.4 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional-view' of a cane or umbrella-stick with a bent handle. a detailplan view of the primaryreflector, showing the construction vwhereby the automatic switch may be thrown out of operation. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are 'fragmentary views illustrating the construction and operation of the manually-operated switch and'cover-catch.

The invention is applicable to either a straight cane or umbrella-stick or one with a handle at an angle to the body of the stick, and its application to both forms is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the case o f a straight cane or umbrellastick, such as illustrated in Fig. 1, the handle or upper end of the stick 1 is bored out to form a cylindrical Vcavity 2 to receive the incandescent lamp and the battery. In the bottom of the cavity 2 a contact-plate 3 is located. Upon the contact-plate rests a battery 4:, which is preferably of that type in which the vessel Fig. 4 is forms one electrode. .The extreme upper end of the stick is reduced in diameter, forming a shoulder 5. The reduced portion 6 is exteriorly screw-threaded and its inner edge is beveled. Upon the beveled inner edge rests the primary reflector 7 of the lamp. The primary reflector 7 is preferably metallic and is provided with an annular projection 8, by means of which it is 'Secured in position. A collar 9 has its upper edge turned down over the annu'lar .projection 8 and is in screwthreadedengagement with the reduced portion 6. By this construction the reflector is Secured-in position and yet is free to rotate.

Upon the lower' portion of the reflector 7 is a non-condiicting lamp-socket 10. Into said lamp-socket an incandescent lamp 11 of any desired formy fits. The metallic sleeve 12 forms one terminal of the lamp and is in electrical connection with the reflector. A stud 13 constitutes the other terminal and projects through the I'socket 10'and into engagement with the upper terminal 14 of the battery 4. The upperedge of the primary reflector is turned over the edge of a lens 15.

The ornamental head of the cane consists of a casing 16 and a'cover 17, hinged .thereto. The head is secured by means of a screwthreaded engagement with the upper end of the stick just below the shoulder 5. This casing 16 is connected with the contact-plate 3 by means of a conductor 18. yThe cover 17 has a projection 19 adjacent to its hinge in such position that Vwhen open it will contact the metallic primary reflector, as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will thus be seen that whenl the cover is up the circuit from the battery is completed through the lamp and the filament will become incandescent; but it is not always desirable to have the light turned on when the cover is up. For this reason the metallic reflector is made with a small nonconducting section 20, having an area of about the area of contact of the projection 19 with the reflector. Upon the opposite side IOO be engaged by the projection 19 or to move it out of the path of the said projection.

The cover 17 is held shut by a spring-catch 23, riveted to the casing. The rim of the cover is undercut on its inner side, and the upper end of the spring-catch is correspondingly Shaped to engage said undercut rim. A switch-bolt 24, Working in a hole in the casing 16, has a reduced end Which enters an opening in the spring-catch. By pressure upon said bolt the spring-Catch may be moved inWardly and the cover Will be released from its engagement. A spring 25 of the -usual watch-case form engages the cover 17 near its hinge and automatically throws it up When released from the spring-catch 23. The switchbolt 211 is in contact with and hence in electrical connection With the casing 16. VVhen pressed inwardly to release the cover, it contacts With the metallic primary reflector 7, and thus closes the circuit through the lamp. Thus the light may be manually turned on the moment the cover 17 is raised. This additional switch in parallel With the coverswitch is provided for use When it is not desired to use the latter. For example, at night it is desirable to have the stick by the bed With the cover up. It is not desirable to have the light turned on all the time, and so the reflector 7 Will be turned by means of the handle 21 until the insulating-section 20 is brought in contact With the projection 19 and the circuit is broken. If, now, light is Wanted at any time, it is only necessary to press the switch-bolt 24.

The switch-bolt 24 is constructed so as to lock the cover against accidental opening and to be locked in contact With the metallic reflector to prevent accidental turning off of the light or against tampering. Its shape and operation are illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7. The part 26, projecting through the casing 16, is substantially semicylindrical. The opening in the casing is the same shape, the Wall 27 of the casing fitting closely, as shown in Fig. 5. Adjacent the cylindrical portion of the switchbolt the semicylindrieal portion has a groove 28. By rotation of the bolt the Wall 27 of the casing enters the groove and the bolt is locked against inward movement. Upon the opposite side adjaeent to the head 29 of the bolt is a second groove 30. VVhen the bolt is pushed inwardly into engagement With the metallic reflector, it may be rotated so that the Wall 27 of the casing Will enter said second groove and lock the bolt in position. In order to move the bolt from its locked position, it is necessary to rotate it axially, and this is done by frictional contact of the thumb upon the head 29.

The inner surface of the cover 1-7 is preferably polished, so as to act as a reflector. When said cover is up, it serves to direct the rays transversely to the direction in Which the primary reflector directs rays. When using the lamp in Walking in the dark, the stick is usually held upside-down, and thus the light Would reach only a small area of the path; but the secondary reflector serves to direct the rays some distance ahead. Again, the cover serves as a screen. If it is desired to conceal the light from observation in front, it is only necessary to turn the. stick so that the cover lies in front, When it Will effectually screen the lamp. The exterior of the cover and the casing may be given any ornamental form or ornamented in any desired manner.

The form of the invention illustratcd in Fig. 3 difers from that just described only in the shape of the head and minor features incident to such shape. The head 31 is angular in shape,

' but, as before, is screwed upon the stick and is in electrical connection with the battery. Near the end of the head a support-block 32 is secured, upon Which the lamp is mounted. In a depression in the block 32 a contactplate 33 is Secured. The contact-plate is in electrical connection With the battery through a conductor 34. All other features are like those of the form of the invention previously described and are indicated in the figure by the same symbols.

Obviously the invention is capable of application to a walking-stick, umbrella-stick, a case capable of being carried inan overcoatpocket, or the like, and in the claims hereinafter made the term stick is intended to include any such article.

The device is Obviously capable of considerable modification Within the scope of my intion, and I do not Wish to be limited to the form of the invention chosen to illustrate the invention and hereinbefore specifically described.

VVhat I claim is- 1. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a normally open electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp, ahinged cover arranged to automatically close said circuit When open, and means to prevent the closing of said circuit by said cover. V V

2. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a reflector for said lamp, a cover for said cavity, a normally open electric circuit conneeting said battery and lamp and including said reflector and cover, and means on said cover arranged to make contact With said reflector When said cover is open and thereby close said circuit.

3. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a reflector for said lamp having a non-conducting section, a cover for said cavity, a normally open electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp and including said reflector and cover, and a projection on said cover arranged to make contact With said reflector When said cover is open, said reflector being adjustable IOO IIO

to bring said non-conducting section into position to be engaged by said projection.

4:. A sticklamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp iny said cavity, a primary reflector for said lamp, a cover for said cavity arranged to serve as a secondary reflector When open, a normally open electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp and including said primary reflector and cover, and means on said cover arranged to make contact With said primary reflector When said cover is open and thereby close said circuit.

5. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a normally open electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp, a cover for said cavity, a latch for said cover, and means arranged to release said latch and close said circuit.

6. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a normally open electric circuit connecting said battery and' lamp, a cover for said cavity, a latch for said cover, and a switch-bolt arranged to release said latch and close said circuit.

7. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a normally open electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp, a cover for said cavity, a latch for said cover, and a switch-bolt arranged to release said latch and close said circuit, said switch-bolt being constructed to lock said cover shut.

8. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a reflector forvsaid lamp, a head on said stick comprising a casing, and a cover, a normally open electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp and including said reflector and casing, a latch for said cover, and a switch-bolt in said casing arranged to release said latch and contact said reflector and thereby close said circuit.

9. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a reflector for said lamp, a head on said stick comprising a casing and a cover, a normally open electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp and including said reflector and casing, a latch for said cover and a switch-bolt arranged to release said latch and-contact said reflector and thereby close said circuit, said switch-bolt having a semicylindrical section having transverse groovesarranged to engage a portion of said casing upon rotation of said switch-bolt; Whereby said bolt may be locked against accidental movement When tlie circuit is either closed or open.

10. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, a normally open electric circuit connectng said battery and lamp, a cover for said cavity arranged to serve as a reflector, a latch for said cover, and a switch-bolt arranged to release said latch and close said circuit.

ll. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, an interrupted electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp, a hinged cover arrangedto automatically close said circuit When open, means to prevent the closing of said circuit by said cover, a latch for said cover, and means arranged to release said latch and close said circuit.

12. A stick-lamp comprising a stick, having a cavity therein, a battery and a lamp in said cavity, an interrupted electric circuit connecting said battery and lamp, a hinged cover for a cavity, means on said cover to close said circuitWhen said cover is open, means to prevent the closing of said circuit by said means, a

'latch for said cover, and a switch-bolt arranged to release said latch and close said circuit.

13. A stick-lamp comprising a stick having a cavity therein, a battery therein, a head on said stick comprising a cavity and a cover hinged thereto, a reflector rotatably mounted in the mouth of said cavity having a non-consaid socket having one terminal in electrical connection With said reflector and the other in electrical connection With said battery, a conductor connecting the opposite terminal of said battery With said casing, a latchfor said cover, a switch-bolt mounted in said casing to ducting section and a lamp-socket, a lamp in release said bolt and contact said reflector, a

projection on said cover arranged to engage said reflector When said cover is open, and an 1 arm on said reflector vvhereby said reflector may be rotated to' bring said non-conducting IOO section into position to be engaged by said 

